2 Samuel 14 20

2 Samuel 14:20 kjv

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

2 Samuel 14:20 nkjv

To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth."

2 Samuel 14:20 niv

Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God?he knows everything that happens in the land."

2 Samuel 14:20 esv

In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth."

2 Samuel 14:20 nlt

He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!"

2 Samuel 14 verses

2 Samuel 14 20 Meaning

2 Samuel 14:20 reveals the Woman of Tekoa's admission to King David regarding the orchestrator of her elaborate plea. She confesses that Joab, David's commander, contrived this entire discourse. Furthermore, she extols David's wisdom, comparing his discernment to that of an "angel of God" for his ability to perceive and understand all matters. The verse serves as the culmination of David's skillful cross-examination, exposing the underlying manipulation aimed at bringing Absalom back to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 14 20 Context

The verse takes place in a period of intense royal and family conflict in King David's reign. Absalom, David's third son, had murdered his half-brother Amnon for the rape of their sister Tamar (2 Sam 13). Following the murder, Absalom fled and remained in exile for three years in Geshur. King David grieved for Absalom but did not seek his return, reflecting a profound internal struggle between justice, family loyalty, and his personal affection for Absalom. Joab, David's pragmatic military commander, recognized David's longing for his son's return. To facilitate Absalom's homecoming without David explicitly ordering it, Joab devised a cunning plan. He enlisted a "wise woman" from Tekoa, instructing her to present a fabricated legal case to David, mirroring Absalom's situation (2 Sam 14:1-11). The woman's long, persuasive discourse skillfully drew out David's empathetic judgment. David, despite his initial acceptance of her fabricated story, began to suspect an underlying agenda. In the immediate preceding verse (2 Sam 14:19), David directly confronts the woman, asking if Joab put her up to this, signaling his acute perception. Verse 20 is the woman's direct answer, confirming David's sagacity and subtly pleading for Absalom's return by flattering the king's profound discernment.

2 Samuel 14 20 Word analysis

• To fetch about: (לְהָסֵב lᵉhāsēv from הָסַב hāṣav, Hiphil infinitive construct of סָבַב sāvav "to turn about, encompass"). This phrase signifies "to contrive," "to arrange," or "to turn around" a matter. It highlights the intentional, strategic, and somewhat deceptive nature of Joab's actions. It implies orchestrating an event or situation with a specific hidden purpose.
• this form of speech: (הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה haddāvār hazzֶh) Literally "this word/matter." Refers to the entire carefully constructed narrative and argument presented by the woman of Tekoa. It emphasizes that her plea was not spontaneous but a pre-designed, articulate presentation with a covert agenda.
• hath thy servant Joab done this thing: (עַבְדְּךָ יוֹאָב עָשָׂה אֶת־הַדָּבָר ʿavdᵉkhā Yō'āv ʿāśāh et-haddāvār) The woman explicitly names Joab as the instigator. This confirms David's acute suspicion from 2 Sam 14:19. It unveils the hidden hand behind the cunning plan and emphasizes Joab's proactive manipulation of situations to achieve his goals, even when indirect and requiring deceit.
• and my lord is wise: (וַאדֹנִי חָכָם vaʾădonî ḥākhām) A direct and highly complimentary address. "My lord" (אֲדֹנִי ʾădonî) reinforces David's royal authority and status. "Wise" (חָכָם ḥākhām) implies sharp intellect, discernment, sagacity, and sound judgment. This is a deliberate flattery designed to appease David's potential anger at the deception and to further sway him towards the desired outcome regarding Absalom.
• according to the wisdom of an angel of God: (כְּחָכְמַת מַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים kᵉḥokhmat malʾakh hāʾElōhîm) A powerful simile. "Angel of God" often denotes supernatural knowledge or divine insight in biblical literature (cf. Gen 3:5, 1 Sam 29:9, 2 Sam 19:27). Comparing David's wisdom to that of an angel suggests an almost uncanny, intuitive grasp of hidden truths, distinguishing his understanding as profoundly discerning and almost divinely inspired, far beyond typical human wisdom. This hyperbole serves as profound flattery, legitimizing David's discovered insight.
• to know all things that are in the earth: (לָדַעַת אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ lādāʿat et-kol-ʾăšer bāʾāreṣ) This phrase expresses near-omniscience. While clearly a rhetorical exaggeration – true omniscience belongs to God alone (Pss 139:2-4, Job 28:23-24, Isa 40:28) – it underscores the woman's awe at David's penetrating insight and his ability to see through deception to the very root of matters. It portrays David as a king with comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of his realm and his people, reinforcing his regal authority and profound judgment.

2 Samuel 14 20 Bonus section

The Woman of Tekoa, although an obscure figure, represents a testament to the power of ancient rhetorical skill and psychological insight in influencing monarchs. Her elaborate analogy and subsequent flattery of David are examples of a highly refined persuasive technique common in royal courts. This entire episode serves to illustrate Joab's pragmatic, results-oriented nature. While loyal to David, Joab was not above employing cunning and deception to achieve what he perceived as the best outcome for the kingdom or the king's heart. His repeated reliance on manipulative strategies throughout David's reign (e.g., Uriah's death, Abner's assassination) suggests a calculated and at times ruthless approach to leadership and political ends, highlighting the complex moral landscape of the historical period. The use of "angel of God" for David reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern practice where kings were sometimes attributed with superhuman qualities or divine favor, demonstrating a profound spiritual wisdom or discernment, rather than actual divinity or literal omniscience. It frames David's wisdom in terms of God's favor and guidance.

2 Samuel 14 20 Commentary

2 Samuel 14:20 stands as the pivot point in the Woman of Tekoa's intricate ruse, revealing King David's discerning wisdom and the astute, if manipulative, political maneuvering of Joab. The verse unveils the precise extent of Joab's design, explicitly stating his role in orchestrating the "form of speech," thereby validating David's astute perception. David's intuition to suspect Joab highlights his acumen and refusal to be entirely swayed by surface narratives. The Woman of Tekoa's praise of David's wisdom, comparing it to an "angel of God" and stating his ability "to know all things that are in the earth," is a masterful rhetorical move. While an obvious flattery – God alone possesses true omniscience – it serves a dual purpose: it validates David's extraordinary insight, showing that even with Joab's cunning, David remained shrewd; and it cleverly sets the stage for David to act upon the unspoken request concerning Absalom, as a king whose wisdom enables him to discern complex situations. The king, now affirmed in his sagacity by the very agent of the scheme, is primed to consider Joab's unspoken plea. This verse underscores the sophisticated political and familial dynamics within David's court, where strategic counsel often operated through veiled requests and manipulative tactics to achieve desired outcomes.